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Interfaith Evangelism

BELIEF
Islam BULLETIN
World Religions
Official Name: Islam

Key Figure in History: Muhammad (A.D. 570-632)

Date of Its Establishment: A.D. 622

Adherents: Worldwide: Estimated 1 billion; 69 percent live in South and Southeast Asia; 27 percent
in Africa; 4 percent other; United States: Estimated 5 to 8 million

What is Islam? What Is the Qur’an?


Islam is the world’s youngest major world religion. It The Qur’an is the sacred book of Islam and the perfect
claims to be the restoration of original monotheism and word of God for the Muslim. It is claimed that the
truth and thus supersedes both Judaism and Christianity. Qur’an was dictated in Arabic by the angel Gabriel to
It stresses submission to Allah, the Arabic name for God, Muhammad and were God’s precise words. As such, it
and conformity to the “five pillars” or disciplines of that had preexisted from eternity in heaven with God as the
religion as essential for salvation. From its inception, “Mother of the Book” and was in that form uncreated
Islam was an aggressively missionary-oriented religion. and coeternal with God. Islam teaches that it contains the
Within one century of its formation, often using military total and perfect revelation and will of God. The Qur’an
force, Islam had spread across the Middle East, most of is about four-fifths the length of the New Testament and
North Africa, and as far east as India. While God is, is divided into 114 “surahs” or chapters. While Islam
in the understanding of most Muslims, unknowable respects the Torah, the psalms of David and the four
personally, His will is believed to be perfectly revealed in Gospels, the Qur’an stands alone in its authority and
the holy book, the Qur’an. The Qur’an is to be followed absoluteness. It is believed to be most perfectly under-
completely and its teachings form a complete guide for stood in Arabic and it is a religious obligation to seek to
life and society. read and quote it in the original language.

Who Was Muhammad? What Are the Five Pillars of Islam?


Muhammad is believed by Muslims to be the last and They are the framework for the Muslim’s life and
greatest prophet of God—“the seal of the prophets.” It discipline. Successful and satisfactory adherence to the
was through him that the Qur’an was dictated, thus pillars satisfies the will of Allah. They form the basis for
according him the supreme place among the seers of the Muslim’s hope for salvation along with faith and
God. A native of Mecca, Muhammad was forced to flee belief in Allah’s existence, the authority of Muhammad as
that city in A.D. 622 after preaching vigorously against a prophet, and the finality and perfection of the Qur’an.
the paganism of the city. Having secured his leadership in The five pillars are:
Medina, and with several military victories to his credit, 1. The Confession of Faith or Shahada: It is the dec-
Muhammad returned in triumph to Mecca in A.D. 630. laration that there is no god but Allah and
There, he established Islam as the religion of all Arabia. Muhammad is his prophet. Sincerity in the voicing
of the confession is necessary for it to be valid. It
must be held until death and repudiation of the
Shahada nullifies hope for salvation.
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2. Prayer or Salat: Five times a day, preceded by cer- Salvation: It is determined by faith, as defined by
emonial washing, the Muslim is required to pray Islam, as well as by compiling good deeds primarily in
facing Mecca. Specific formulas, recited from the conformity to the five pillars.
Qur’an (in Arabic), along with prostrations are Marriage: Muslims uphold marriage as honorable
included. Prayer is, in this sense, an expression of and condemn adultery. While many Muslim marriages
submission to the will of Allah. While most of are monogamous, Islamic states allow as many as four
Islam has no hierarchical priesthood, prayers are wives. Men consider a woman as less than an equal, and
led in mosques by respected lay leaders. The five while a man has the right to divorce his wife, the wife
times of prayer are before sunrise, noon, midafter- has no similar power (see Surah 2:228; 4:34).
noon, sunset, and prior to sleep. Nonetheless, the female has a right to own and dis-
3. Almsgiving or Zakat: The Qur’an teaches the giv- pose of property. Modesty in dress is encouraged for both
ing of two and one-half percent of one’s capital men and women.
wealth to the poor and/or for the propagation of War: The term jihad or “struggle” is often considered
Islam. By doing so, the Muslims’ remaining wealth as both external and internal, both a physical and spiritu-
is purified. al struggle. The enemies of Islam or “idolaters,” states
4. The Fast or Sawm: During the course of the lunar the Qur’an, may be slain “wherever you find them”
month of Ramadan, a fast is to be observed by (Surah 9:5.) (See Surah 47:4.) Paradise is promised for
every Muslim from sunrise to sunset. Nothing is to those who die fighting in the cause of Islam (see Surah
pass over the lips during this time, and they should 3:195; 2:244). Moderate Muslims emphasize the spiritual
refrain from sexual relations. After sunset, feasting dimension of jihad and not its political element.
and other celebrations often occur. The daylight Diet and Food: Muslim dietary codes forbid the eat-
hours are set aside for self-purification. The month ing of pork and the use of intoxicating drinks. Other
is used to remember the giving of the Qur’an to meats may be eaten from animals slaughtered by devout
Muhammad. Muslims. Healthy diet and lifestyle are encouraged.
5. Pilgrimage or Hajj: All Muslims who are economi-
cally and physically able are required to journey as Answering Muslim Objections to Christianity
a pilgrim to Mecca at least once in their lifetime.
Christians and Jews are acknowledged as “people of
The pilgrim’s required simple dress stresses the
the book,” although their failure to conform to the con-
notion of equality before God. Another element of
fession of Islam labels them as unbelievers. Following
the Hajj is the mandatory walk of each pilgrim
are several questions that Muslims have about
seven times around the Kaabah—the shrine of the
Christianity.
black rock, the holiest site of Islam. Muhammad
taught that the Kaabah was the original place of
Is the Trinity a belief in three gods? Christians are
worship for Adam and later for Abraham. The
monotheistic and believe that God is one. But both in His
Kaabah is thus venerated as the site of true reli-
work in accomplishing salvation through the Person of
gion, the absolute monotheism of Islam.
Jesus Christ and through biblical study it has become
clear that His oneness in fact comprises three Persons—
The Doctrines of Islam Father, Son (Jesus Christ), and the third Person of the
God: He is numerically and absolutely one. God is Godhead, the Holy Spirit. Mary is not part of the
beyond the understanding of man so that only His will Godhead. The notion of God, who is three-in-one, is part
may be revealed and known. He is confessed as the of both the mystery and greatness of God. God is in
“merciful and compassionate one.” essence one while in Persons three. This truth helps us
Sin: The most serious sin that can be ascribed to understand God as truly personal and having the capacity
people is that of “shirk” or considering God as more than to relate to other persons. As well, Christians confirm the
one. Original sin is viewed as a “lapse” by Adam. The holiness, sovereignty, and greatness of God.
fallen nature of humankind is not endorsed by Islam.
Humankind is considered weak and forgetful but not as How can Jesus be the Son of God? Scripture affirms
fallen. that Jesus was conceived supernaturally by the Holy
Angels: Islam affirms the reality of angels as messen- Spirit and was born of the Virgin Mary. It does not in
gers and agents of God. Evil spirits or Jinn also exist. any way claim that Jesus was directly God the Father’s
Satan is a fallen angel. Angels perform important func- biological and physical son. It rejects the notion of the
tions for God both now and at the end of time. Arabic word for son walad, meaning physical son, for the
Final Judgment: The world will be judged at the word ibin, which is the title of relationship. Jesus is the
end of time by God. The good deeds and obedience of all Son in a symbolic manner designating that He was God
people to the five pillars and the Qur’an will serve as the the Word who became man in order to save humankind
basis of judgment. from its sin. The virgin birth was supernatural as God

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the Holy Spirit conceived in Mary, without physical Witnessing to Muslims
relations, Jesus the Messiah. In this manner even the
1. Be courteous and loving.
Qur’an affirms the miraculous birth of Christ (see Surah
2. Reflect interest in their beliefs. Allow them time
19:16-21). Jesus was in this sense “God’s unique Son.”
to articulate their views.
During His earthly ministry He carried out the will of the
3. Be acquainted with their basic beliefs.
Father. Notably the Qur’an affirms Jesus’ supernatural
4. Be willing to examine passages of the Qur’an
birth, life of miracles, His compassion, and ascension to
concerning their beliefs.
heaven. (see Surah 19:16-21,29-31; 3:37-47, 5:110.)
5. Stick to the cardinal doctrines of the Christian
faith but also take time to respond to all sincere
How could Jesus have died on the cross, especially
questions.
if He’s God’s Son? The testimony of history and of the
6. Point out the centrality of the Person and work
Injil or the four Gospels is that Jesus died on the cross. If
of Jesus Christ for salvation.
it is understood that God is love, and that humankind is
7. Stress that because of Jesus, His cross, and
lost in sin, then is it not likely that God would have pro-
resurrection, one may have the full assurance
vided a sacrifice for sin? Jesus is God’s sacrifice for all
of salvation, both now and for eternity
the sins of the world and is a bridge from a holy God to
(see 1 John 5:13).
fallen and sinful humans.
8. Share the plan of salvation with the Muslim. Point
This truth is revealed in the Injil—John 3:16. Even
our that salvation is a gift and not to be earned.
the Qur’an states in Surah 3:55 that “Allah said: O Isa
9. Pray for the fullness of the Holy Spirit. Trust Him
[Jesus], I am going to terminate [to put to death] the
to provide wisdom and grace.
period of your stay (on earth) and cause you to ascend
10. Be willing to become a friend and a personal
unto Me.”1 What other way could this concept have
evangelist to Muslims.
any meaning apart from Jesus’ death for sin and His
subsequent resurrection?
1. The Holy Qur’an, translated by M.H. Shakir
Muslims believe that God took Jesus from the cross
(Elmhurst, N.Y.: Tahrike Tarsile Qur’an, Inc.).
and substituted Judas in His place, or at least someone
who looked like Jesus. He was then taken to heaven
Phil Roberts, President, Midwestern Baptist Theological
where He is alive and from where one day He will return.
Seminary

Answering Muslims’ Questions to Christians © 2000, 2001, North American Mission Board of the Southern
about Islam Baptist Convention, Alpharetta, Georgia
What do you think about the prophet Muhammad? All rights reserved. The North American Mission Board grants
Muhammad was apparently a well-meaning man who permission for reproduction of this publication for educational
sought to oppose paganism and evil in his day. While he purposes. Alteration of this publication is strictly prohibited.
succeeded in uniting the Arabian peninsula and upheld May not be sold for profit.
several important virtues, we do not believe he received a
fresh revelation from God. Jesus Christ fulfilled not only All other inquiries should be addressed to: Editorial and Design
the final prophetic role from God, but He is the Savior of Manager, North American Mission Board, 4200 North Point
Pkwy., Alpharetta, Ga. 30022-4176; or fax (770) 410-6006; or
the world and God the Son. While Islam believes that
e-mail permissions@namb.net.
some Bible passages refer to Muhammad (see Deut.
18:18-19; John 14:16; 15:26; 16:7), that is clearly not For more information contact Interfaith Evangelism via e-mail
the meaning of the texts. Other passages may help in at interfaith@namb.net.
understanding and interpreting the previous texts
(see Matthew 21:11; Luke 24:19; John 6:14; 7:40; Acts http://www.namb.net/interfaith
1:8-16; 7:37).

What is your opinion of the Qur’an? It is a greatly


valued book for the Muslim. It is not received or believed
to be a divine book by the Christian. The statements of
the Qur’an are accepted only where they agree with the 4200 North Point Pkwy.
Bible. Alpharetta, GA 30022-4176

A Southern Baptist Convention agency supported by the


What is your opinion about the five pillars?
Cooperative Program and the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering®
Salvation is from God and comes only through the saving
work of Jesus Christ. When we put our faith in Him, we
will be saved (see John 3:16-21,31-36).
P000282/03-02
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